My baby has cold symptoms. Could it be RSV?

Maybe. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects most children sooner or later (usually before the age of 2). It often starts out with cold symptoms. In fact, for many babies and young children, the virus is no more troublesome than a cold.

For a few, though, mild cold symptoms (such as a runny nose, a minor cough, and a low fever) develop into a more pronounced cough, labored breathing, and sometimes wheezing. Your baby may also be irritable and restless and have a poor appetite.

It's important to call the doctor if you think your baby may have RSV, because the virus is the most common cause of two lung disorders in babies, bronchiolitis (which swells the small airways and fills them with mucus, blocking airflow) and pneumonia (an infection and inflammation of the lungs). Either of these conditions can be dangerous — even deadly — for babies, particularly those younger than 6 months.

Are some babies at higher risk than others?

While most babies will handle the virus without a hitch, some do have a higher risk of problems. Those who are more prone to develop serious respiratory infections as a result of RSV include premature babies and those born with heart or lung problems or immune system deficiencies — basically babies who are not strong enough to fight off an infection.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 125,000 children are hospitalized with RSV each year in the United States, and about 500 of them die. A serious RSV infection is a frightening experience for parents and their baby.

By the way, RSV isn't as much of a health concern for school-age children and adults. Their immune systems are stronger and their airways, because they're bigger, are less likely to become dangerously obstructed by the inflammation. While RSV can be serious, even fatal (especially in the elderly), most adults and older children with RSV will simply get an upper respiratory infection characterized by a cough.

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